Anti-contaminant protection mat

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods for a foldable protection mat include a foldable composite mat configured to fold in a folded closed configuration for storage and an unfolded open configuration to create a barrier that protects personal items from potentially dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surfaces and preventing the dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surface from contacting the personal item.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/248,186 filed on Sep. 24, 2021 the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, andmethods for a foldable protection mat, which may be used on airplanesand in other transit vehicles, or other public spaces that may be proneto viral, bacterial, microbial, or other contaminants. that may providestorage spaces. In particular, some implementations may relate to afoldable protection mat that has an open configuration for protectingpersonal items from potentially dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwisecontaminated surfaces, and a closed configuration for preventing thepotentially dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surface tocontact the personal item.

BACKGROUND

Public transit vehicles such as airplanes, buses, and trains generallyprovide storage spaces for personal items to be kept during travel.While using such public transit vehicles, passengers may desire, or berequired, to store personal items at certain times during travel.Storage spaces, however, are often dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwisecontaminated with harmful microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, andviruses), alongside toxic or otherwise harmful chemicals. Similarly,general public locations sometimes provide public storage spaces, suchas lockers, cubbies, shelves, or other storage areas, that may also beprone to contaminants. In some instances, individuals may transfercontaminants attached to their hands, the bottom of their shoes, orelsewhere to the storage spaces. For example, air traveling passengerswho use airplane restrooms may track urine and fecal matter back totheir seat from the restroom. Additionally, passengers with pets (e.g.,dogs, cats, etc.) may track in animal feces or urine, or the animal mayurinate or defecate directly onto the vehicles’ carpet. Consequently,individuals may be forced to use storage spaces during travel, or whenusing other public storage spaces, that are dirty, unsanitary, and/orotherwise contaminated. Exposing their personal items to such storagespaces is often unavoidable, thereby presenting unnecessary health risksto travelers, transit personnel, and others.

In some instances, individuals have resorted to placing makeshiftbarriers between their belongings and dirty surfaces. For example,individuals may place articles of clothing or magazines under theirbelongings. However, such makeshift barriers become contaminatedthemselves and must either be sanitized, sequestered, or discarded tomitigate the risk of contaminating belongings stored therein. This isproblematic for at least three reasons. First, makeshift barriers can benon-uniform sizes or, more generally, the wrong size for personalbelongings that a traveler is trying to protect. A negative result ofthis is having one’s personal belongings only partially separated fromthe dirty, unsanitary, and/or contaminated surface. Second, manymakeshift barriers, for example magazines, have low frictioncoefficients, which may allow personal items to shift or slide off ofthe makeshift barrier when the public transit vehicles move, furtherexposing ones’ personal items to other sections of the surface when thevehicle, for example, turns. And third, makeshift barriers require theperson protecting their personal belongings to handle the now dirty,unsanitary, and/or contaminated surface of the makeshift barrier whendiscarding the makeshift barrier, exposing their hands to thecontamination they were attempting to protect themselves from. Bettersystems are needed.

SUMMARY

Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for a foldableprotection mat equipped with configurations allowing for both protectingpersonal items from potentially dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwisecontaminated surfaces and preventing the dirty, unsanitary, and/orotherwise contaminated surface to contact the personal item.Contaminants may include bacteria, virus, biofluids, chemicals, fecalmatter, dirt, dust, or other foreign particles and/or particles orliquids. In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may includeaa bottom layer affixed to a top layer to form a composite mat. The toplayer may further includes loops that allow a traveler to both carry thefoldable protection mat and lift the foldable protection mat from itsopen configuration on a contaminated surface to its closed configurationfor transport. The composite mat may be bisected by a first crease todefine a first section and a second section on opposite sides of thefirst crease. The composite mat may transition from an openconfiguration to a first closed configuration in which the first sectionand second section collapse together around a pivot point defined by thefirst crease such that first section abuts the second section.

In further embodiments, the foldable protection mat may include a secondcrease that crosses the first crease to form a third section and afourth section on opposite sides of the second crease. The foldableprotection mat may be transitioned into a second closed configurationwhen the third section and fourth section collapse together around apivot point defined by the second crease such that the third sectionabuts the fourth section.

In further embodiments, the foldable protection mat may include a thirdcrease that runs parallel to the first crease and forms a firth sectionand a sixth section on opposite sides of the third crease and isdisposed within the first section. The foldable protection mat may alsoinclude a fourth crease that runs parallel to the first crease and formsa seventh section and an eighth section on opposite sides of the fourthcrease and is disposed within the second section. The third crease andfourth crease may allow the foldable protection mat to transition to athird closed configuration wherein the fifth section and sixth sectioncollapse together around a pivot point defined by the third crease suchthat the fifth section abuts the sixth section, and the seventh sectionand eighth section may collapse together around a pivot point defined bythe fourth crease such the seventh section abuts the eighth section.

When the foldable protection mat is in its closed configuration, certainembodiments conceal the bottom layer of the foldable protection mat suchthat contaminants are not spread. The foldable protection mat may besecured in the closed configuration by a plurality of magnets disposedbetween the top layer and the bottom layer. In embodiments, the foldableprotection mat may be constructed from an impermeable material that mayfurther be coated with an antimicrobial agent to further preventtransmission of contaminants. Additionally, the foldable protection matmay be stored or transported in a carrying case. Various embodiments ofthe foldable protection mat provide for single use or discardablefoldable protection mats as well as reusable foldable protection mats.

Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, which illustrate, by way of example, the featuresin accordance with various embodiments. The summary is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claimsattached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The figures are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosedtechnology. These figures are provided to facilitate the reader’sunderstanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should benoted that for clarity and ease of illustration, these figures are notnecessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example foldable protection mat withloops, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A & 2B show top and bottom views of an example foldableprotection mat, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example foldable protection mat in a closedconfiguration, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an example foldable protection mat in the openconfiguration with a laptop sleeve on top of the mat, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an example carrying case with an examplefoldable protection mat stored inside, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an example foldable protection mat with elasticbands, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example disposable foldableprotection mat, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is front view of an example disposable foldable protection matconfiguration with a handbag on top of the mat, according to embodimentsof the present disclosure.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that thedisclosed embodiments can be practiced with modification and alteration,and that the disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and theequivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for afoldable protection mat, which may be used on airplanes, other transitvehicles, and/or other public spaces that may provide storage spaces forpersonal items. Devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein mayprovide for improved cleanliness of personal items when traveling viapublic or private transit vehicles, or otherwise storing personal itemsin public storage spaces such as lockers, cubbies, or shelves. Thefoldable protection mat may be used to provide a barrier between suchpersonal items, such as purses, bags, or similar, and the public storageenvironment when traveling or using public spaces, such that thepersonal items do not come in direct contact with the potentially dirty,unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surfaces.

Conventional or makeshift barriers, such as using paper towels,magazines, newspapers, or other paper or cloth barriers, are generallyineffective at eliminating exposure to contaminated surfaces.Conventional or makeshift barriers may also allow for personal items tooverhang from the barrier and/or slide off of the barrier, which canexpose the personal item to the very surface one attempts to protectthem from. Further, conventional or makeshift barriers require theindividual to discard of the barrier using direct hand-to-barriercontact, increasing the risk of personal contamination from the barrier,which decreases the hygienic protection the individual aimed to achieve.

Embodiments of the present disclosure solve these problems by providinga foldable protection mat equipped with configurations allowing for anopen configuration for protecting personal items from dirty, unsanitary,and/or otherwise contaminated surfaces, and a closed configuration forpreventing the dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surfacefrom contacting the personal item at an exposed underside (bottom layerof the mat), thereby containing any harmful microorganisms (e.g.,bacteria, fungi, and viruses) and/or toxic or otherwise harmfulchemicals transferred from dirty surfaces to the mat. Furthermore, theclosed configuration of the foldable protection mat may be easily storedin a sealable pouch or carrying case, without the need for the user toworry about cross-contamination. Further still, other embodiments of thefoldable protection mat may be discarded after one or several uses.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may enable efficientand practical protection for personal items across a variety of storagespaces. In certain embodiments, the foldable protection mat may be madeof a disposable or semi-disposable material that may be discarded afterone or several uses. While in further embodiments, the foldableprotection mat may be made from a reusable or recycled material that maybe cleaned after one or multiple uses and reused by the traveler ontheir next journey. The foldable protection mat may be constructed offabric, plastic, or any other suitable material, with an elastic ringsecured to the perimeter of the fabric, such that the fabric may besecured to a personal item such as a purse, computer bag, backpack,duffel bag, or briefcase with the elastic ring. The foldable protectionmat may further be constructed with an anti-microbial layer that isdisposed on the bottom layer or top layer of the mat to help reduce themicrobials that reside on the mat during transport. The perimeter of thefabric may further constrict such that the side of the foldableprotection mat that was touching the contaminated surface may beenclosed to an interior portion of the closed configuration of thefoldable protection mat.

In embodiments, the foldable protection mat may have a smooth, slidablebottom layer and may have a configuration where the smooth, slidablebottom layer engages a dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminatedsurface in a storage space. This configuration may be effective forsituations where the foldable protection mat needs to be slid across arigid or tacky surface such as carpet, plastic, or rubber. The foldableprotection mat may also be foldable such that the bottom layer of themat is concealed. This configuration may be effective for preventingcross-contamination of the dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwisecontaminated surface-exposed bottom of the mat. In various embodiments,the mat may be folded two or more times to contain the bottom layer ofthe mat from touching other things such as travelers or further personalitems.

The foldable protection mat may be equipped with one or more loopsand/or bands to assist with pulling the mat out of a storage space andwith transitioning the mat from an open configuration to a closedconfiguration or vice versa. In some embodiments, the one or more loopsmay be placed on the edges or corners of the top layer of the foldableprotection mat. In further embodiments, the one or more bands may beplaced on the edges of the top layer of the foldable protection mat. Insome embodiments, the mat may incorporate bands that extendsubstantially across the top layer of the foldable protection mat andmay be used as handles to pull the mat from its resting configurationand cause the mat to fold into a folded configuration. In someembodiments, there may be two bands placed on opposing longitudinaledges of the mat spanning the width of the mat. In some examples, thebands may be fabricated from elastomers including natural rubbers,styrene-butadiene block copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene,ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, siliconeelastomers, fluoroeslastomers, polyurethane elastomers, and nitrilerubbers.

The foldable protection mat may be equipped with one or more loops toassist with folding the mat. In some embodiments, the one or more loopsmay be placed in the center or folding points of the top layer. Thisconfiguration may be effective for self-folding of the mat by force ofgravity when the mat is lifted vertically. The foldable protection matmay also be equipped with magnets to assist with folding of the mat orsecuring the mat once in the closed configuration. In other embodiments,the mat may be equipped with Velcro® or other re-sealable materials suchthat the mat remains folded when not in use.

The foldable protection mat may be equipped with a carrying case tocontain the mat between uses. The carrying case may be a containerhaving a face at least partially surrounding an interior of thecontainer, an access structure for accessing the interior of thecontainer, and a mateable portion of a re-sealable connection. Invarious embodiments, the mateable portion may be a zipper, Velcro®, orsimilar re-sealable mechanism.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may be made from adisposable or semi-disposable material that can be discarded after oneor several uses so that a traveler does not need to store the dirty,unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surface-exposed underside intheir personal items or other bags.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may be made from areusable or recycled material that can be reused after each use suchthat the traveler can store the mat after use.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may include ananti-microbial or anti-septic layer disposed on the underside of themat, which may reduce the microbial presence on surfaces the mat touchesand reduce the amount of microbial or contaminant presence on the matduring transport. In further embodiments, the foldable protection matmay be constructed from impermeable materials, such that spills orliquids are not absorbed by the mat.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may be constructedwith an elastic ring secured to the perimeter of the mat, such that themat may be secured to a personal item such as a purse, computer bag,backpack, duffel bag, or briefcase with the elastic ring. The foldableprotection mat may be discarded after one or several uses, or it may bestored in a pouch for future use. The elastic ring secured to theperimeter of the mat may also constrict such that the underside of themade is enclosed preventing cross-contamination from the mat’s contactwith the transit surface.

Now turning to the figures. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of anexample foldable protection mat with loops, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the foldableprotection mat may be configured to engage a dirty, unsanitary, and/orotherwise contaminated surface such as under seat storage on a plane.

FIG. 1 shows a foldable protection mat 100 which may include a bottomlayer 101, a top layer 102 affixed to the bottom layer 101, which mayform a composite mat, a plurality of folding creases 106, 108, and 110,a plurality of magnets (not shown) inserted between the bottom layer 101and the top layer 102, a plurality of rigid inserts (not shown) insertedbetween the bottom layer 101 and the top layer 102, and one or moreloops 130 and 132 attached to the top layer 102, for example, on eitherside of the plurality of folding creases 106, 108, and 110. The bottomlayer 101 may be plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyethyleneterephthalate, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyurethane), fabric (e.g., cotton,chiffon, crepe, denim, lace, leather, linen, satin, silk, velvet, wool,nylon, polyester, and spandex), and/or rubber (e.g., natural rubber,styrene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile, hydrogenated nitrile,Neoprene®, ethylene propylene diene monomer, silicone, Viton®, andpolyurethane). The top layer 102 may be coarse such that personal itemsdisposed thereon do not slide or move when resting on the top layer(i.e., has a high friction coefficient).

The bottom layer 101 may be smooth to enable the foldable protection mat100 to slide easily across various surfaces (e.g., carpet, plastic, andrubber). The bottom layer 101 of the foldable protection mat 100 maycomprise one or more antimicrobial agents such as an antibacterialagent, an antiviral agent, an antifungal agent, or any combinationsthereof. The bottom layer 101 of the foldable protection mat 100 may beimpermeable and easily cleanable and/or sanitizable. The top layer 102may be plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate,high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene,polystyrene, or polyurethane), fabric (e.g., cotton, chiffon, crepe,denim, lace, leather, linen, satin, silk, velvet, wool, nylon,polyester, and spandex), and/or rubber (e.g., natural rubber,styrene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile, hydrogenated nitrile,Neoprene®, ethylene propylene diene monomer, silicone, Viton®, andpolyurethane). The top layer 102 of the foldable protection mat 100 maybe impermeable and easily cleanable and/or sanitizable. The bottom layerand top layer may be joined (e.g., by sewing, heat sealing, or similarconnection). The plurality of folding creases 106, 108, and 110 mayenable the mat to fold in pre-determined configurations. For example,the foldable protection mat 100 may fold across a the X-linear plane,Y-linear plane, and/or both (as described in detail in relation to FIG.2 ). The plurality of magnets may enable the mat to secure foldedsections together in various closed configurations. The plurality ofmagnets may be placed in a uniform or nonuniform spacing between thebottom layer 101 and the top layer 102, such that when the mat 100 isfolded and/or rotated around a pivot point, a positive magnetic forceattracts to an opposing negative magnetic force. The plurality ofinserts may enable the foldable protection mat 100 to maintain rigidityor portions of rigidity. The inserts may be plastic, paper-based (e.g.,cardstock and cardboard), and/or similar rigid material. Together, theplurality of folding creases 106, 108, and 110, the plurality ofmagnets, and the plurality of inserts may define the closedconfiguration of the foldable protection mat 100.

FIGS. 2A & 2B show top and bottom views of an example foldableprotection mat, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The foldable protection mat 100 (100A and 100B show the same or similarmat, but one from a bottom layer 101 perspective and one from a toplayer 102 perspective. Heretofore, A indicates a bottom layer 101perspective and B indicates a top layer 102 perspective) may have two ormore configurations to allow both protection of personal items andhygienic storage of the mat between uses. In some embodiments, thefoldable protection mat 100 may have an open configuration to allowprotection of personal items from a dirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwisecontaminated surface of a storage space. Such personal items that thefoldable protection mat 100 aims to protect may include a purse,computer bag, backpack, duffel bag, briefcase, or similar personalitems. Embodiments where the foldable protection mat is configured toprotect personal items are shown in FIG. 2B where the foldableprotection mat 100B is in the open configuration. Here, the bottom layer101 of the foldable protection mat 100 lies flat along a potentiallydirty, unsanitary, and/or otherwise contaminated surface, while the toplayer 102 remains free from contaminants. The one or more loops 128,130, and 132 may be attached to the top layer 102 on either side of aplurality of folding creases 104, 106, 108, 110.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat or composite mat maybe bisected by a first crease 106 at or about the center of the foldableprotection mat, approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal edge ofthe mat. The first crease 106 may form a first section (sub-sections111–114 combined) and a second section (sub-sections 115–118). Thefoldable protection mat may be in an open configuration when the firstsection 111–114 is relatively horizontal to the second section 115–118,and the first crease 106 is unfolded. The foldable protection mat 100may be transitioned to a first closed configuration when the firstsection and second section collapse together around a pivot pointdefined by the first crease 106 such that the first section abuts thesecond section.

In other embodiments, the foldable protection mat may have a secondcrease 110 that bisects the center of the foldable protection mat,approximately parallel to the longitudinal edge of the mat and crossingthe first crease 106. The second crease 110 may form a third section(sub-sections 111, 113, 115, 117) and a fourth section (sub-sections112, 114, 116, 118). The foldable protection mat may be in an openconfiguration when the third section is relatively horizontal to thefourth section, the second crease 110 is unfolded, and the first crease106 is unfolded. The foldable protection mat may be transitioned to asecond closed configuration when the third section and fourth sectioncollapse together around a pivot point defined by the second crease 110such that the third section abuts the fourth section.

In further embodiments, the foldable protection mat may have a thirdcrease 104 that bisects the first section and is approximately parallelto the first crease 106, and forms a fifth section (sub-sections 111,112) and a sixth section (sub-sections 113, 114). In furtherembodiments, the foldable protection mat may have a fourth crease 108that bisects the second section and is approximately parallel to thefirst crease 106, and forms a seventh section (sub-sections 117, 118)and an eighth section (sub-sections 115, 116). The foldable protectionmat may be in an open configuration when the fifth section and sixthsection are relatively horizontal to each other and the seventh sectionand eighth section are relatively horizontal to each other. The foldableprotection mat may be transitioned to a third closed configuration whenthe fifth section and sixth section collapse together around a pivotpoint defined by the third crease 104 such that the fifth section abutsthe sixth section. The foldable protection mat may further betransitioned to the third closed configuration when the seventh sectionand eighth section collapse around a pivot point defined by the fourthcrease 108 such that the seventh section abuts the eighth section.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat may be transitionedfrom the open configuration to the first closed configuration when thefirst section is folded onto the second section. The foldable protectionmat may be transitioned from the open configuration to the second closedconfiguration when the third section is folded onto the fourth section.The foldable protection mat may be transitioned from the openconfiguration to the third closed configuration when the fifth sectionis folded onto the sixth section and when the seventh section is foldedonto the eighth section. One skilled in the art would understand thatvarious sections can be folded and that the foldable protection mat mayembody more than one closed configuration at a time and/or anycombination thereof. For example, the first section may be folded toabut the second section and then the third section may be folded to abutthe fourth section, as seen, for example, in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example foldable protection mat twice foldedin a closed configuration, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In such embodiments, the foldable protection mat 100 isconfigured for hygienic storage between uses. Here, the foldableprotection mat 100 is serially folded along the first crease 106 andalong the second crease 110. In this configuration, the bottom layer ofthe foldable protection mat 100 is concealed and only a portion of thetop layer 102 of the foldable protection mat 100 is exposed. In such anembodiment, the plurality of magnets may be configured to secure thefoldable protection mat 100 in the closed configuration for hygienicstorage.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an example protection mat in the openconfiguration with a laptop sleeve on top of the mat, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The laptop sleeve 140 may beplaced on the top layer 102 of the foldable protection mat 100. In suchembodiments, the foldable protection mat 100 may prevent the laptopsleeve 140 from coming into direct contact with the floor or surface ofthe a transit vehicle, decreasing the amount of contaminationtransferred from the transit vehicle floor to the laptop sleeve 140. Inother embodiments, the laptop sleeve 140 may connect to a loop of thefoldable protection mat 100.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a carrying case with a protection mat storedinside, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The carryingcase 150 may be used for hygienic storage of the foldable protection mat100 between uses. The carrying case 150 may have an interior compartmentand a face at least partially surrounding the interior compartment. Thecarrying case 150 may have an access structure or opening for accessingthe interior compartment of the carrying case 150. The access structureof the carrying case 150 may have a mateable re-sealable connection 152.The mateable re-sealable connection 152 may be a zipper or any otherre-sealable mechanism, for example, Velcro®.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an example protection mat with elastic bands,according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The foldableprotection mat 100 may be equipped with one or more elastic bands 160and 162 to assist with pulling the mat out of a storage space. Thefoldable protection mat may have elastic bands 160 and 162 placed onopposing longitudinal edges of the top layer 102 of the foldableprotection mat 100 spanning the width of the foldable protection mat100. The top layer 102 may include an identification tag, which mayindicate features about the mat or similar. The top layer 102 mayinclude an identification tag pocket, comprising a clear and transparentplastic layer secured to the top layer 102 on three sides, therebyallowing insertion-removal of a removable identification, business card,or list of features.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example disposable or semi-disposablefoldable protection mat, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

In various embodiments, the foldable protection mat 200 may bedisposable or semi-disposable. The disposable or semi-disposablefoldable protection mat 200 may have a concave body made from a bottomlayer affixed to a top layer forming a composite mat. The composite matmay be constructed from fabric, paper (e.g., cardstock and cardboard),plastic, rubber, a composite such as coated cardstock, or similardiscardable material. The disposable or semi-disposable foldableprotection mat 200 may include an elastic band 205 around the perimeteror rim of the disposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat suchthat it may stretch over the bottom of personal items (in a mannersimilar to a shower cap), as in for example, FIG. 8 .

FIG. 8 is a front view of an example disposable protection matconfiguration with a handbag on top of the mat, according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. A handbag 300 may have the disposable orsemi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 placed or secured around alower portion of the handbag 300. In such an example, a traveler wouldstretch the elastic 205 of the disposable or semi-disposable foldableprotection mat 200 to a circumference greater than the circumference ofa base portion of the handbag 300. The traveler would then pull thedisposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 around thebase portion of the handbag 300 or place the handbag 300 into thedisposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat 200. The travelercan then place the handbag 300 with its base portion encircled by thedisposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 on the flooror other surface of a transit vehicle without the handbag 300 gettingdirty, unsanitary, and/or other contaminated from the floor or othersurface of the transit vehicle. After the traveler exits the transitvehicle, they can remove the disposable or semi-disposable foldableprotection mat 200 from the handbag 300, invert the disposable orsemi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 such that the bottom layeris concealed within the inverted disposable or semi-disposable foldableprotection mat 200, and discard of the disposable or semi-disposablefoldable protection mat 200, thereby discarding the contaminants withit.

The disposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 may beimpermeable. The disposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat200 may also comprise one or more antimicrobial agents disposed on abottom layer 201 and/or top layer 202 of the disposable orsemi-disposable foldable protection mat 200. The disposable orsemi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 may include a disposable orsemi-disposable storage bag, which may function as part of thepackaging. The disposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat 200and disposable or semi-disposable storage bag may be single use ormultiple use. For example, the disposable or semi-disposable foldableprotection mat 200 and disposable or semi-disposable storage bag may bediscarded after a single use or after two or more uses. The disposableor semi-disposable foldable protection mat 200 and disposable orsemi-disposable storage bag may be packaged in single or multi-packs.For example, the disposable or semi-disposable foldable protection mat200 and disposable or semi-disposable storage bag may be packaged inpacks of two or more.

In some embodiments, the mat may have an elastic ring affixed to theperimeter. The mat affixed with the elastic ring may be attached to apersonal item, such as a purse, computer bag, backpack, duffel bag, orbriefcase. The mat with an elastic ring may be disposed after one ormore uses, or the mat may be contained within a pouch for future use.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure maybe used in a variety of different contexts. The foregoing examplesdescribed herein are offered by way of example only and are not intendedto be limiting.

It should be understood that the various features, aspects, andfunctionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments arenot limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment withwhich they are described. Instead, they can be applied, alone or invarious combinations, to one or more other embodiments, whether or notsuch embodiments are described and whether or not such features arepresented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadthand scope of the present application should not be limited by any of theabove-described example embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like. The term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof. The terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known.” Terms of similar meaning should not be construed aslimiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time. Instead, they should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Where this documentrefers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one ofordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent orknown to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

It should be noted that the term “optimal” and the like as used hereincan be used to mean making or achieving performance as effective orperfect as possible. However, as one of ordinary skill in the artreading this document will recognize, perfection cannot always beachieved. Accordingly, these terms can also encompass making orachieving performance as good or effective as possible or practicalunder the given circumstances, or making or achieving performance betterthan that which can be achieved with other settings or parameters.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “component” does not imply that the aspects or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the component are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various aspects of a componentcan be combined in a single package or separately maintained and canfurther be distributed in multiple groupings or packages or acrossmultiple locations.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description ofone or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict orin any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Thevarious features shown and described herein may be used alone or in anycombination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appearto those skilled in the art. The disclosed embodiments are not limitedto the specific details, representative apparatus and method andillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the general disclosedconcept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable mat comprising: a bottom layer affixedto a top layer to form a composite mat; and a plurality of loops affixedto the top layer; wherein the composite mat is bisected by a firstcrease to define a first section and a second section on opposite sidesof the first crease to enable the composite mat to transition from anopen configuration to a first closed configuration in which the firstsection and second section collapse together around a pivot pointdefined by the first crease such that the first section abuts the secondsection.
 2. The foldable mat of claim 1, wherein the composite matfurther includes a second crease that crosses the first crease to form athird section and a fourth section on opposite sides of the secondcrease.
 3. The foldable mat of claim 2, wherein the second creaseenables the composite mat to transition to a second closed configurationin which the third section and the fourth section collapse togetheraround a pivot point defined by the second crease such that the thirdsection abuts the fourth section.
 4. The foldable mat of claim 1,wherein the first section is bisected by a third crease that runsparallel to the first crease and forms a fifth section and a sixthsection on opposite sides of the third crease and is disposed within thefirst section; and the second section is bisected by a fourth creasethat runs parallel to the first crease and forms a seventh section andan eighth section on opposite sides of the fourth crease and is disposedwithin the second section.
 5. The foldable mat of claim 4, wherein thethird crease and the fourth crease enable the composite mat totransition to a third closed configuration in which the fifth sectionand sixth section collapse together around a pivot point defined by thethird crease such that the fifth section abuts the sixth section, andthe seventh section and eighth section collapse together around a pivotpoint defined by the fourth crease such that the seventh section abutsthe eighth section.
 6. The foldable mat of claim 1, wherein the bottomlayer is concealed when the composite mat is in the first closedconfiguration.
 7. The foldable mat of claim 4, further comprising aplurality of magnets disposed between the bottom layer and the top layerand positioned to attract each other and secure the fifth section to thesixth section and secure the seventh section to the eight section whenthe composite mat is in the third closed configuration.
 8. The foldablemat of claim 1, wherein each section comprises a rigid insert.
 9. Thefoldable mat of claim 1, further comprising an elastic band disposedalong a longitudinal edge of the foldable mat.
 10. The foldable mat ofclaim 1, further comprising a carrying case, wherein the foldable mat,in the closed configuration, is stored inside the carrying case betweenuses.
 11. The foldable mat of claim 1, wherein the foldable mat is madefrom an impermeable material coated with an anti-microbial agent.
 12. Amethod of protecting a personal item from contaminants, the methodcomprising: placing a composite mat, formed from a bottom layer affixedto a top layer, on a contaminated surface; lifting the composite mat,via a plurality of loops affixed to the top layer, from the contaminatedsurface; transitioning the composite mat from an open configuration to afirst closed configuration by collapsing the composite mat about a firstcrease that bisects the composite mat and defines a first section and asecond section on opposite sides of the first crease to conceal thebottom layer of the composite mat.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising transitioning to a second closed configuration by collapsingthe composite mat about a second crease that crosses the first create toform a third section and a fourth section defined by the second creaseand thereby concealing the bottom layer of the composite mat.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising transitioning to a third closedconfiguration by collapsing the composite mat about a third creasedisposed in the first section to form a fifth section and a sixthsection, each defined by the third crease that runs parallel to thefirst crease; and collapsing the composite mat about a fourth creasedisposed in the second section to form a seventh section and an eighthsection, each defined by the fourth crease that runs parallel to thefirst crease.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising securingthe composite mat in a first closed configuration, second closedconfiguration, or third closed configuration using a plurality ofmagnets disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer andpositioned to attract each other and secure: the first section to thesecond section; the third section to the fourth section; or the fifthsection to the sixth section and the seventh section to the eighthsection.
 16. A disposable foldable mat comprising: a bottom layeraffixed to a top layer to form a composite mat; and an elastic bandencircling a perimeter of the composite mat, wherein the elastic band isconfigured to stretch to secure to a personal item, with a base portionof the personal item disposed on the top layer of the composite mat andthe bottom layer disposed on a contaminated surface; wherein thecomposite mat is configured to transition from an open configuration, inwhich the bottom layer is configured to be placed on a contaminatedsurface, to a closed configuration in which the bottom layer isconcealed within the composite mat.
 17. The disposable foldable mat ofclaim 16, wherein the closed configuration is defined by the compositemat being inverted from the open configuration, wherein the bottom layeris exterior-facing, to the closed configuration, wherein the top layeris exterior-facing and the bottom layer is concealed.
 18. The disposablefoldable mat of claim 16, wherein the elastic band is configured to beelongated to a circumference greater than the circumference of apersonal item, such that said personal item can be placed on the toplayer and the elastic band can be secured around the bottom portion ofthe personal item.
 19. The disposable foldable mat of claim 15, furthercomprising a carrying case, wherein the foldable mat, in the closedconfiguration, is stored inside the carrying case between uses.
 20. Thedisposable foldable mat of claim 12, wherein the disposable mat is madefrom an impermeable material coated with an anti-microbial agent.